Thomas W. Samuel Sr., 88

Thomas W. Samuel Sr. "went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior" on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004, while under the tender care of his physician, Annie Bukacek, and family at Brenden House in Kalispell.

Born Dec. 8, 1915, to Benjamin and Elizabeth Samuel in Memphis, Tenn., Tom spent his growing up years in Paducah, Ky. During World War II he served honorably with the United States Army Railroad Battalion.

In 1946, Tom married the love of his life, Catherine Cramer, and partnered with his father and one brother to form B. H. Samuel & Sons Railroad Contractors in Portland. He continued in that profession building industrial railroad around the Pacific Northwest until his retirement in 1980.

At his retirement, Tom and Catherine moved to Kalispell, where he loved working outdoors on the acreage around his home, playing golf, and being near his grandchildren as they grew up. The greatest delight of his life was that his wife, children and grandchildren all had received Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of their lives.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Catherine, of Kalispell and his two children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Daughter, Joann Howard lives in Sierra Vista, Ariz., and son, Thomas W. Samuel Jr. and wife, Susan, reside in Kalispell. Surviving grandchildren are Catherine "Kate" Anderson and husband, Timothy, of Kalispell, and Thomas W. Samuel III of Kalispell. Surviving great- granddaughter is Grace Susan Anderson of Kalispell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.

A memorial service celebrating Tom Samuel Sr.'s life will be held 7 p.m. at Faith Covenant Church, 611 Third Ave. East, Kalispell, Wednesday, Nov. 3.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to Hope Pregnancy Center, 940 First Avenue East, Kalispell.